Blue Christmas Comparisons

Due to finals and finally getting home for Christmas break, I’m later on getting this second post out than I intended…oh well. So it goes. So, here we go with variations on “Blue Christmas”! :)

Elvis – 8.5

{{Sadly, I'm unable to find a video of this version...weird, right? They won't work. So find your own!}} 

He starts right away, no waiting around for anything! It’s a song that you’ll want to bob your head to. There’s a nice steady beat too. The choir is an interesting touch. A pretty quick pace, and all in all, I’d describe it as cheery.

Michael Buble – 9.5

 

This version just has a newer feel than Elvis’ does. Michael has a super smooth voice, and his timing is just uneven enough to be catchy without being annoying – does that make any sense? And then that lovely instrument that has such a big part in this version – a horn of some sort? I’m hopeless with identification. After you learn it, and learn his variations, you’ll be singing along! Michael totally sings his heart out and it’s awesome. Summed up? It’s crazy cool. Love this version!

Kelly Clarkson - 9

 

A very pretty version! The piano is a lovely touch. Kelly has a stunning voice and I really like her tempo too! The song sways along in a beautiful way. This is a fresh take on this song! The musical interlude is really neat too – and this song alone makes me want to buy her newest album, Wrapped in Red! :)

Andrea Bocelli - 9

 

This version, unlike most others, actually sounds like Bocelli is feeling blue – which is appropriate for the song. It’s also pretty slow. And of course, operatic. Then too, Bocelli sings with Reba McEntire, and they have some cool harmonization. It’s a peaceful version, quieter and almost calming. Very steady.

Blake Shelton – 8.5

 

This one definitely had a quicker pace, especially since I listened right after Bocelli’s. There was some reflection of Elvis here (and also in Buble’s), but it was bad. I really love Blake’s voice and accent. This version? Fun and light.

Celine Dion – 8.5

 

I hadn’t listened to anything of Celine’s before, and was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this version! It has a very Christmasy feel from the very beginning. Celine’s voice is older than Kelly’s, smooth and slower than most of the version (except Bocelli’s), and easy to sing along to. I also really liked the background music. Her voice is also lower. A good version.

Glee – 8

I know, I know, me, listening to anything by the Glee cast? But several people online mentioned this as a favorite, so I gave it a shot – and it wasn’t too bad. The guy had a good steady voice, and I really liked the way the choir was done – barely noticeable in the background. This version was almost sleepy. I also liked the variations they included – fitting for the song.

Favorite:

Well. No way around it. Michael Buble’s version won. I really liked Kelly Clarkson’s and would list her as the runner-up, but Michael’s – it’s just so crazy and fun and I love it!

Your thoughts:

Did I mention your favorite version? If not, what version do you love and do I need to listen to it? And if so, which is your favorite?

Michael Buble: Other Good Songs

Michael Buble…I have so many favorite songs by him that this really isn’t funny. I’m not kidding…I’ve heard a lot, and I favorite a lot. But here are just a few, or maybe a few more than a few.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Cry Me A River

All I Do is Dream of You

Save the Last Dance for Me

 

Haven’t Met You Yet

Sway

Crazy Love

Can’t Help Falling in Love

I recommend you go buy all of those right now. NOW. That’s 8/22 on my Mp3 player, or every 2.75 songs…a favorite.

Biography: Michael Buble

Meet another one of my favorite singers, Michael Buble! I had listened to dozens of his songs before my family finally got his Christmas album -- it's different from anything else we have, but we love it. On to a short biography of Michael Steven Buble!

He was born on September 9, 1975 in Canada to a salmon fisherman and his wife. He started a love of jazz music when he was five and heard Bing Crosby's White Christmas album, and his family noticed his skill when he was 13. For years after that, Michael sang in small enterprises, everything from cruise ships and malls to singing telegrams.

In 2000, Michael met David Foster, a producer for many famous singers. Also in 2000, he appeared in several movies. He released It's Time in 2005.

That album includes a couple of my favorite songs (more coming later today) like Save the Last Dance for Me and Feeling Good. In 2007, Call Me Irresponsible came out, followed in Crazy Love in 2009. Now there's a CD worth getting!

It included awesome songs like Cry Me a River, Crazy Love, Haven't Met You Yet, All I Do is Dream of You, and You're Nobody Until Somebody Loves You. That CD made it big.

 Michael married Luisana Lopilato on March 31, 2011. In Christmas 2011, he released his Christmas album. More on that one later today! It's full of splendid songs.

Song: Crazy Love

Singer: Michael Buble

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

From the CD: Crazy Love

Length: 3:31

My overall opinion: Classic Michael Buble. This one (along with Can’t Help Falling in Love) is one of his more peaceful ones (as opposed to Crazy Little Thing Called Love – don’t confuse these two!). This one is a title track on one of Buble’s CD’s. I love it.

CD: Michael Buble Christmas

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Michael Buble (obviously)

Type of music: Christmas, a lot of classic secular songs (about Santa Claus etc)

List of songs:

1.       It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2.       Santa Claus is Coming to Town

3.       Jingle Bells (with the Puppini Sisters)

4.       White Christmas (with Shania Twain)

5.       All I Want for Christmas Is You

6.       Holly Jolly Christmas

7.       Santa Baby

8.       Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

9.       Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)

10.   Silent Night

11.   Blue Christmas

12.   Cold December Night

13.   I’ll Be Home for Christmas

14.   Ave Maria

15.   Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad (with Thalia)

My overall opinion: *sigh* This was definitely one of my favorite Christmas CD’s this year. I should mention (before raving more) that some of the songs are a little bit rocky (as in, the rock type of music), so that may be a drawback. I think my favorites are #9 (which is the type that sticks in your head for hours) and #11 (in which the trumpeter has way too much fun). My siblings love #15 (which is also catchy). Ave Maria is beautiful. So is It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. The introduction for Jingle Bells is very 80’s, according to my parents…rather strange. You’d understand if you’ve heard it. He changed the words for Santa Baby, or so say the people who know the original. Since I don’t, I don’t know.  Altogether, I love the CD. Definitely worth your money, as long as the rock stuff doesn’t bother you much…it’s not too bad. P.S. #5 is another one that’ll stick in your head. Now you can’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)

Christmas CD’s to Love

To me, one of the most Christmasy parts of Christmas in the music. Some of them I’ve been listening to for as long as I can remember. Others were just discovered last year...and some, I haven’t heard yet. They’re on my wish-list. I’m sure that each of you also has favorite Christmas music, and I’d love to hear which of these you’ve enjoyed! And of course, please recommend some. J Now, here comes a list of my favorites!

Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas

Andrea Bocelli is amazing. He is quite operatic, and for these Christmas songs, that’s just splendid. I know that some of the songs on this CD have music videos online. I’m specifically thinking of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” So if you like this CD, you’ll want to check those out.

Favorite song(s): Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I Believe (with Katherine Jenkins!), Angels We Have Heard on High

Susan Boyle’s The Gift

I don’t think this is strictly a Christmas CD...I’d guess that about half of Susan’s songs on here are Christmas ones. But if you enjoy Susan Boyle, you’re definitely going to want this CD! The songs are peaceful...that’s the best word I can think of to describe it. J Oh, and she has “Silent Night” on her I Dreamed a Dream CD. But this one has more Christmas songs. Oh, I think I reviewed this CD on here.

Favorite song(s): Perfect Day, Hallelujah (neither of those is real Christmasy though), O Holy Night, The First Noel

Jim Brickman’s The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

This one’s not a singing CD, but expert piano-playing. All of the songs are beautiful...with the possible exception of the last one, on which Jim sings. :P I think his piano playing is much better. Anyway, this is a wonderful CD, especially good for background music.

Faith Hill’s Joy to the World

A delightful CD of Christmas music. Faith has the perfect voice for it! It’s a little bit in country style. She definitely sings out!

Favorite songs: Joy to the World, Holly Jolly Christmas, Winter Wonderland

Mannheim Steamroller’s CD’s

There are a lot produced by this band. And they’re definitely a must for every Christmas. We’ve listened to them for as long as I can remember! The CD’s include: Christmas Extraordinaire; Christmas in the Aire; and A Fresh Aire Christmas. They’re amazing and you MUST listen to them if you haven’t!

A few others that I’m not putting in here, but that are also very good include: Old Fashioned Christmas (played with instruments like dulcimers, flutes, harps, whistles, etc); Come On, Ring Those Bells by Evie (an older CD, and hard to find, but very good); Handel’s Messiah (absolutely amazing -- a staple for Christmas); and What if Mozart Wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by the Hampton String Quartet (they also did one called What if Mozart Wrote I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus).

Finally, a few CD’s I want.

Michael Buble’s Christmas

As soon as I heard this one was coming out, I wanted it. J It’s mostly secular songs (about Santa Claus, etc, as opposed to the classic carols), but I think it’d still be fun.

Celtic Woman’s A Christmas Celebration

I do enjoy Celtic Woman a lot! I’ve heard their “Silent Night” but that’s it. Hope to listen to this one someday! I’m sure the songs are beautiful.

Before you go...tell me your favorites!

Song: Home

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Singer: Michael Buble (today's his birthday, check out The Birthday Blog post here)

Length: Around 3 minutes

Lyrics: Another summer day // Has come and gone away // In Paris and Rome // But I wanna go home. // May be surrounded by // A million people I // Still feel all alone // Just wanna go home // Oh I miss you, you know.

My overall opinion: It's almost a bit sad...lonesome. But I still enjoy it!

Song: Georgia on my Mind

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Singer: Michael Buble

Type of music: Country?

Length: 3:08

Lyrics: Georgia, Georgia // The whole day through // Just an old sweet song // Keeps Georgia on my mind.

My overall opinion: It's weird...I don't know if he's talking about the state or a girl. :P Either way, it's a song that will sometimes stick in your head, but is still fun. It's sort of a quiet introduction to Michael Buble, who often isn't quite so soft.